Monuments

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Queensland Memorial (1 December 2004)

The Historic Abuse Network Memorial, also known as the Child Abuse Memorial, was unveiled in Brisbane, Queensland in 2004 and is now located at Emma Miller Place, Roma Street, Central Brisbane. The bronze, life-size statue of a barefooted boy, with tattered suitcase in hand, was sculpted by Gavan Fenelon. The inscription reads:

In memory of all the children who suffered and of those who did not survive abuse in Church and State Children’s institutions and homes in Queensland. “For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known, neither was anything made secret out that it should come to light.”

HAN and SOICA gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the Brisbane City Council and Queensland Council, Department of Communities.

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New South Wales Memorial (19 September 2009)

The NSW Government held a healing service in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens on 19 September 2009, with more than 700 people who grew up in institutions, orphanages, children’s homes and foster homes in NSW attending. The service included the unveiling of a lasting memorial within the gardens to commemorate the experiences of the Forgotten Australians. The memorial is a stone plinth at the Twin Ponds site in the Gardens. The inscription reads:

For Forgotten Australians In this place, we remember the many thousands of NSW children who grew up in care in the decades leading up to the 1990s – in orphanages, in Children’s Homes and foster homes,

in institutions. We remember the lonely, the frightened, the lost, the abused – those who never knew the joy of a loving family, who suffered too often at the hands of a system meant to provide for their safety and wellbeing. We rejoice in their courage and strength. This corner of the Gardens is dedicated to their memory. Erected by the Australian and NSW Governments

- 19 September 2009

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South Australian Memorial (17 June 2010)

The South Australian Memorial to the Forgotten Australians was unveiled on 17 June in Peace Park at the corner of Sir Edwin Smith Avenue and Brougham Place (opposite the Women’s and Children’s Hospital). It consists of four huge stainless steel daisies, each in a different state of opening, as a symbol of hope and healing for children (now adults) who suffered harm in out of home care. The tallest of the daisies is over 6 metres and can be seen from quite a distance.

The concept was developed by artist Craige Andrae, who was inspired by his love and hopes for his own small children. The dedication on the memorial reads:

In honour of children who suffered abuse in institutional and out of home care.We have grown though awareness and unity.We celebrate our courage, strength and resilience.We are no longer forgotten.Dedicated to the future protection and nurturing of all children.- 17 June 2010

The memorial was unveiled by several children of former state wards at a moving ceremony which was attended by about 200 people, many of whom had been abused in care. The Hon Gail Gago MLC officiated at the ceremony on behalf of the Minister for Families and Communities.

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Victorian Memorial (25 October 2010)

The Victorian memorial was unveiled on 25 October 2010. Standing on Southbank Promenade, next to the river, it was created by artist Helen Bodycomb. The plaque accompanying the memorial reads as follows:

World within, world without (2010) by Helen BodycombThis artwork reflects the constellations above Victoria at 11am on 16 November 2009, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made his national apology to the ’Forgotten Australians’. Wattle blossoms represent the one thousand most visible stars and planets, one for every one hundred children who were in Victorian state care. Here we remember those thousands of children who were separated from their families and grew up or spent time in Victorian orphanages, children’s homes and foster homes last century. Many were frightened, abused and neglected. We acknowledge the many shattered lives and the courage and strength of those who survived. Unveiled 25th October 2010 and developed with the support of the Australian and Victorian Governments and the City of Melbourne.”

The unveiling was followed by an afternoon tea. The memorial recognises all Victorian Forgotten Australians who, as children, spent time in Victorian orphanages, children’s homes or foster care during the last century. It is a lasting recognition of the experience of care leavers, and provides an opportunity for the wider community to reflect on the experiences of Forgotten Australians.

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Western Australian Memorial (10 December 2010)

The WA memorial to Forgotten Australians was unveiled on 10 December 2010. Standing on the grassed area in front of the Western Australian Museum’s Jubilee Building, Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Perth, the memorial was jointly funded by the Western Australian and Federal governments. It was created by local artist Judith Forrest, in collaboration with author Terri-ann White. Modelled on a children's fortune-telling game made of folded paper, it shows lines as if from an old exercise book, and the corners and flaps bear the words of Forgotten Australians themselves about their experiences and their present situations. The inscription reads:

This memorial is jointly funded by the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments and is dedicated to all Western Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children.

This memorial brings the “Forgotten Australians” out of the shadows and into the light. Their most enduring legacy will be that the people now and in the future will know their stories and build upon them a platform for better care.

There is a strong thread that links the way a child is raised with the person they become in adulthood. This memorial stands as a reminder of that thread to all who create policies that affect children.

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Tasmanian Memorial (26 November 2008)

The memorial for Tasmanian Forgotten Australians is the the quiet and peaceful rose walk in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart. The rose walk was dedicated by Lin Thorpe MLC, Minister for Human Services. The signs read:

In recognition of those who experienced out of home care as children

The Forgotten Australians

In remembrance of those children who languished in institutional care. To those who succumbed to harsh punishments meted out by a severe system, we remember you. To those who overcame such experiences, we acknowledge your courage and your determination to have your story told.

"The Forgotten Australians"

The memorial signs were funded by the Australian Government and the Tasmanian Government.

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Tasmanian Memorial (18 September 2017)

The memorial sign for Tasmanian Forgotten Australians was installed on 18 September 2017. It is in a quiet and peaceful place shaded by trees in Rosny Park Golf Course, where people can sit, reflect, remember and grieve. The sign reads:

Forgotten Australians Tasmania

In memory of all that suffered while in care in Tasmanian institutions and out of home care.

Proudly sponsored by Alliance for Forgotten Australians

The memorial sign was funded by the Australian Government through the Find & Connect Program and supported by Rosny Park Golf YMCA.

The Acknowledgement Seat for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants on the Nighcliff Foreshore was unveiled on 16 November 2017, to coincide with the 8th Anniversary of the National Apology.

The plaque reads:

In acknowledgement of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. In honour of the children who suffered abuse and neglect in institutional and out-of-home 'care'. This seat acknowledges the experiences you endured and offers a place for affirmation, remembrance and reflection.

The Acknowledgement Seat is a joint initiative of Relationships Australia Northern Territory, the City of Darwin and the Alliance for Forgotten Australians, and was funded by the Australian Government through the Find and Connect Program.

The Acknowledgement Seat for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants in Alice Springs was unveiled on 16 November 2017, to coincide with the 8th Anniversary of the National Apology.

The plaque reads:

In acknowledgement of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. In honour of the children who suffered abuse and neglect in institutional and out-of-home 'care'. This seat acknowledges the experiences you endured and offers a place for affirmation, remembrance and reflection.

The Acknowledgement Seat is a joint initiative of Relationships Australia Northern Territory, the Township of Alice Springs and the Alliance for Forgotten Australians, and was funded by the Australian Government through the Find and Connect Program.